We all need a good vacuum cleaner to keep our home in the best possible shape. Without them, we would be left drowning in a sea of fluff and debris – not to mention the bad smells that would inevitably arise from the carpets.
As a result, we should also make sure we have good quality and reliable vacuum, and bagless is often the way to go. However, with so many different ones to choose from, it can often seem impossible to make a choice.
Dyson DC40 Animal
Vax U90-MA-RE Air Reach
In this guide, we have gathered some of the best bagless vacuum cleaners on the market, alongside the relevant vacuum cleaner reviews, helping you to choose one that is perfect for you and your home.
Types of Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
The types of bagless vacuum cleaner are very similar to the types of regular vacuum. After all, bagless is a form of vacuum in itself, and so it can be difficult to discern the ways in which it branches off.
One of the options you have is a stick vacuum. These tend to be tall and very slender, but they are also lightweight and easy to handle, many being cordless as well as simple to pack away and store.
You also have cylinder vacuums. These are often relatively easy to store away, and they tend to have larger canisters – so you can vacuum for longer periods of time.
Despite the fact that they have been designed to be smaller and lighter than most, they can still have a powerful level of suction that rivals even upright models of vacuum cleaner.
This brings us to the final type of bagless vacuum cleaner - the upright model. Probably the most commonly purchased type of vacuum, the upright might tend to be heavier than the others, but it’s often the most powerful type too.
They often have large canisters that detach from the main body to provide you with an easier to use version of itself for difficult areas of the home.
Things to Consider
It’s not always easy to know which vacuum is going to work best for you, especially with so many different models to choose from on the market.
However, there are a few things for you to consider that may help you to make a more informed decision. Here are some of the features you should be thinking about before you go to buy.
The price is an important one, after all, you cannot narrow down your options if you have not set a budget in place.
Whether you are looking to spend less than £100 or more than £200, there are vacuum cleaners out there that will slot perfectly into your price range while also providing you with the quality clean that you need for your home.
Next, you need to consider the weight of the vacuum. Do you want a model that is slim and lightweight, or are you comfortable with a machine that may be a little heavier to handle?
A lot of the time, you will find the weight of a vacuum contributes to how easy it is for you to guide it around the home while you clean, and if you struggle, you could be left with somewhat undesirable results when it comes to the overall cleanliness of your floors.
The HEPA filter is another great feature, and one that is particularly important for those who suffer from asthma and allergies.
They tend to be hospital grade, which makes them powerful captors of dust and allergens, while also leaving the air that has been pushed back out cleaner and more breathable.
While HEPA filters are the best ones out there, some brand will use different types. It’s the ideal way to purify the air in your home.
You should also be asking yourself if you need a pet-friendly machine. Some say there is no difference between a pet vacuum and a normal one, but they are very wrong.
Pet vacuum cleaners tend to have more suction and a greater amount of power so that all of the embedded dirt, pet hair and grime can be reached effectively.
They also don’t tend to get blocked very easily, whereas a standard vacuum often chokes on balls of animal fluff that get sucked up. Plus, many pet vacuums are able to withstand the dreaded cat litter mixed with pet hair.
If you have selected a cordless vacuum, you should also be taking the runtime into consideration. For small homes, this is not a particularly important aspect, as it generally doesn’t take more than 20-minutes to get everything tidy.
However, larger homes may benefit from knowing how long each cordless vacuum can be expected to last for, especially as some can go for a full hour without the suction fading.
Following on from this is the length of time it takes to charge a cordless vacuum. After all, if you find yourself waiting for 12-hours so that you can actually use it, this can become quite inconvenient.
Most models have a charge time of around three hours, but it can be more or less than this. Some will even have a quick charge option that lets you charge the machine for a short period of time for a quick power boost so that you can finish up.
The size of the dust canister is also important. After all, a small dust canister means that you will need to empty your vacuum cleaner on a much more regular basis, which could prove quite inconvenient and irritating for you.
Check to make sure that your vacuum has a decent size canister for the disposal of dirt and grime that has been picked up throughout the home.
A bigger canister means more time between trips to the bin, but also means you get more efficient suction for longer.
Finally, there are the accessories. These are things like the crevice tool and the fur tool – the little attachments that make life easier for you.
A good vacuum often comes with a selection of tools for you to use so that your cleaning experience is a better one.
They make everything so much easier, but they also help you to reach difficult areas of your home that you would not have had access to before, such as the stairs and the curtains.
The Pros and Cons of Bags v Bagless
As with anything, there are pros and cons to both the bagged and bagless forms of vacuum. In this section, we take a quick look at each to see how they weigh up.
Pros of Bagged Vacuums:
- Keeps all of the dirt and allergens trapped in a bag when you go to empty it, so it doesn’t end up messy or flying back at you.
- Tend to have larger dust capacity than bagless models, which means emptying them less.
- They often require less maintenance than their bagged counterparts.
Cons of Bagged vacuums:
- Bagged vacuums tend to push more fine dust back into the air than their bagless counterparts, which is not great for allergy and asthma sufferers.
- They are more expensive to maintain than bagless vacuum cleaners as you have to buy them new bags fairly regularly.
- The bags do not protect you from fine particles, and allergens re-entering your home, and often bagged vacuums are the reason that they spread and return.
Now that you know everything you need to make the best choice for your new vacuum, have a look at the bagless vacuum cleaner reviews below to see if you can find one that is right for you.
Best Bagged Vacuum Reviews (In Order)
1. Dyson DC40 Animal Lightweight Dyson Ball Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Editors Pick
Dyson is one of the leading brands when it comes to vacuum cleaners, and they might just be the most well-known as well.
The DC40 Animal is a popular model of bagless vacuum that is sure to leave you feeling impressed.
The Good
This vacuum features patented radial root cyclone technology, leaving you with powerful and uncompromised suction that won’t fade as the canister starts to get full.
The cleaner head benefits the most from this feature, and it also adjusts itself automatically according to the floor type that it is being used on.
The ball technology used means that it is incredibly easy to use and manoeuvre, and you will find that it glides seamlessly around furniture and your home with minimal effort.
The Dyson cyclones are also able to capture even the smallest allergens to keep you safe from reactions while you clean. Plus, it comes with a fantastic range of attachments.
I am so impressed this Dyson cleans well on thick carpets and flat laminate floors. It's brilliant at cleaning in crevices and cleans up any pet hair and fibres in double-quick fashion.
The Not So Good
It needs to be cleaned and emptied quite frequently, and the cable is a lot shorter than that of previous models and not reccomended for hard floors.
Our View
This model from Dyson is perfect for homes that have pets, and it provides an excellent level of suction that will keep your home perfectly clean, as well as remove all of the fur and fluff left behind by your faithful friends.
While there is the issue with regards to regular emptying, it is still a superb vacuum cleaner that will serve you well for years to come.
Design
Features
Price
2. Vax U90-MA-RE Air Reach Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Runner Up
Another top brand, Vax is among the leaders when it comes to vacuum rankings.
If you are looking for an upright bagless vacuum cleaner, you might not need to search any further to find your perfect match. Have a look below and see.
The Good
This upright vacuum has a snazzy design, and also features multi-cyclonic technology.
This is where multiple cyclones work to separate the air from the dirt, leaving you with incredibly powerful suction.
However, despite this, it is still a very lightweight model that you will have no trouble gliding around the home with you, especially on those hard floors.
The extra-long hose and cable mean that you are able to reach the top of the stairs without hassle when you go to clean your home, reliving a little of the stress that comes with vacuuming the stairs.
With an eco-design, you will also find that this model is much more energy efficient, which is great for saving on energy bills. Plus, with a range of great tools, it is ideal for homes with pets.
The Not So Good
The main issue for some customers is that this machine is surprisingly heavy and that they were expecting something more lightweight.
Our View
Reasonably priced, this model from Vax is easy to use and lives up to its promise of delivering an excellent level of cleanliness without too much hassle or effort to glide on those hard floors.
While there have been those who have found it difficult to use this model due to the weight, this is all down to personal experience, and it is not particularly common.
With a range of excellent features, this powerful vacuum makes the perfect addition to any home.
Design
Features
Price
3. Bosch BCH6PETGB Athlet
Best Lightweight Bagless Vacuum
Bosch tends to be best known for their power tools and appliances, but their vacuum cleaners really pay tribute to their fantastic reputation as a brand.
Upright and cordless, this could be exactly what you have been looking for from a cordless vacuum.
The Good
This vacuum has been designed for homes with pets, allowing you to tackle the fur and fluff that has been embedded in your carpet by heavy footfall. It has no problem removing all the pet hair.
The pro-animal nozzle works to remove all of this and leave your carpets beautifully clean.
Lightweight and easy to clean, it also makes a very low maintenance machine that won’t cause you any hassle. It has an amazing runtime, and will last a good hour without losing suction, so you can clean every inch of your home in plenty of time.
Plus, the durable batteries mean that you won’t lose that runtime anytime soon. With a range of great accessories and a sensor system to let you know when the canister is full, it has everything you need.
The Bosch Athlet BCH6PETGB is a very good floor cleaner and easy to use to collect pet hair. I think it is good on carpets, and will remove much of the fine dust that settles in thick pile. Hard floors and laminate flooring are no trouble for it, either.
The Not So Good
The accessories can be tricky to attach to the vacuum, which is not great for stiff hands.
Our View
While the price of this model might be a little high when compared to others, it certainly offers a level of power and cleanliness that many other vacuum cleaners cannot.
While there have been a couple of minor issues with the attachments, his does not change the fact that this model of vacuum will do a superb job of keeping your home free from fur and fluff, as well as incredibly clean.
It’s the ideal model for any household, no matter wether you have carpets or hard floors.
Design
Features
Price
4. Gtech Air Ram
Best Cordless Bagless Vacuum
Gtech is another big brand, and they are probably best known for the Air Ram, their bestselling and most popular model available.
A cordless wonder, it could be just what you were looking for. Take a look at the reviews below and see if it really is the ideal one for you.
The Good
This cordless stick vacuum cleaner has a funky design that makes it instantly recognisable, and is easy to use, you won’t be left disappointed when you see the results it produces.
Its slim design means that the head and body are able to slide under furniture, removing all the dust bunnies that try their best to hide from you when you are cleaning even if its to use of hard floors. Plus, its filtration system makes it ideal for those with asthma and allergies.
It may be lightweight, but the suction and power levels match those of a traditional corded vacuum cleaner. With a run time of 40-minutes and a charge period of four hours, you can get every inch of your home clean within a leisurely time period.
It works excellently on carpets and wood floors, providing you with an equal clean. Plus, it’s eco-friendly to save on your energy bills.
The Not So Good
It needs to be emptied very regularly, and it can be quite messy to get the canister off and emptied.
Our View
The price for this model may be a little on the high side, but it more than makes up for those with its power and suction, which is guaranteed to leave your home sparkling when it’s done.
While the canister can be a little bit of an issue due to its small size and difficulty emptying, the quality of this machine more than makes up for it. An excellent model that is available at a fair price.
Design
Features
Price
5. Miele Blizzard CX1
Best Bagless Vacuum with a Hepa Filter
Miele is another top brand, but it is often underrated and so not as well-known as it should be.
For a reliable cylinder vacuum cleaner, you don’t need to look any further than this, as it is sure to provide you with exactly what you need. Take a look and see for yourself.
The Good
This model features a HEPA filter, which is perfect for those who suffer from asthma and allergies.
Capturing 99.9% of dust and dirt, no allergens will be able to escape this machine.
Plus, it pushes out clean air, leaving you with a more breathable atmosphere. It also has a self-cleaning feature that activates automatically, leaving you with less maintenance.
It also has a rotary selector that allows you to choose the level of suction that is being provided, so you can tackle every kind of dirt and stain on your carpet.
It also has fantastic integrated tool storage, so you can access each of the handy accessories quickly and easily. Additionally, this model is compact an easy to use and store, which is perfect for smaller homes, no matter if you are cleaning hard floors or carpets.
The Not So Good
There have been no negative comments about this cylinder vacuum so far.
Our View
This reasonably priced vacuum cleaner does everything you need it to, and all without costing you too much money.
It has an excellent filtration system as well as powerful suction, so no debris in your home will be able to escape. With a series of fantastic features that make this model that much easier to use on hard floors, it is certainly one that you should strongly consider.
Design
Features
Price
Further Models of Bagless Vacuum
Here are some additional models of bagless vacuum cleaner for you to look at, just in case the above options did not quite suit your needs.
6. Hoover 39001359 SP71BL05 Blaze
This affordable vacuum cleaner from leading brand Hoover is a great addition to any home.
Lightweight and compact, it is easy to use and store, which makes it ideal for homes of any size.
It has a washable HEPA filter for those with asthma and allergies, as well as powerful suction that promises to leave your floors in spotless condition.
With a range of great attachments for homes with pets, as well as a high energy rating to save you money on your energy bill, it’s not a vacuum you will want to miss.
7. Kärcher VC5 Premium
Known for their excellent home appliances, Karcher is a brand that leaves everyone feeling impressed.
The powerful motor features four different settings, each of which works to get your home as clean as possible.
Lightweight and compact, it can fit into even the smallest spaces, so those with tiny homes are completely covered in terms of storage.
With a great range of tools included, this affordable vacuum is one to remember.
To Conclude
Hopefully, this guide has helped you to find the best bagless vacuum cleaner for you. With so many to choose from, it is not always easy to figure out which is going to work best for you, or which will slot into your budget.
Whether you are looking for something that is top of the range, or a model that is more affordable, we have it all here for you.
Of course, deciding which of these is the best bagless vacuum cleaner uk is not an easy task, but we would say that Vax is a great brand to go with. Reliable and powerful, it’s a fantastic model that is sure to serve you well.
However, if you don’t quite agree, we are sure that one of the other models listed will suit you well.
What did you think of our bagless vacuum cleaner guide? Are there any models that you would have liked to see here? We love hearing from you, so let us know in the comments below.
Last Updated on February 25, 2021 by Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience writing for consumer publications. She has tested and reviewed a wide range of household items from vacuum cleaners to washing machines and dehumidifiers to steam irons. Her attention to detail and exhaustive testing certainly makes her an expert in her field.
